Cheerleaders' Attorneys Encourage District to Lift Banner Ban and Follow Own Policy and State Law

KOUNTZE, Texas, Feb. 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ --

WHAT:

Liberty Institute, on behalf of the Kountze ISD cheerleaders, has signed up to speak at a Special School Board Meeting in response to the Kountze ISD Board of Trustees' request for input on "the Matthews v. Kountze ISD case and the use of religious themes on banners (e.g. 'run-through' banners) at sporting events." Liberty Institute will also be available following the meeting to provide comment.

WHO:

Hundreds of concerned Kountze students, parents andcommunity members are expected to attend the special school board meeting, many of whom will deliver up to three-minute-long oral or written comments under oath or affirmation. Jeff Mateer, Liberty Institute's general counsel, has signed up to provide input on behalf of the Kountze ISD cheerleaders. On Friday, Liberty Institute submitted a written statement to the Board. To view the statement online, visit: https://www.libertyinstitute.org/document.doc?id=49 Mr. Mateer will also be available following the meeting to provide further comments.

Liberty Institute's written statement encourages the District "to repeal the order prohibiting student groups from displaying signs with messages from a religious viewpoint. Revoking that one directive will bring KISD in line with its own policy and Texas state law, restore the cheerleaders' free speech rights, and protect KISD from further legal action by bringing the District back under the law."

ABOUT:

Liberty Institute is a nonprofit legal group dedicated to defending and restoring religious liberty across America — in our schools, for our churches and throughout the public arena. Liberty's vision is to reestablish religious liberty in accordance with the principles of our Founding Fathers. For information, visit www.LibertyInstitute.org.